Real Pink

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast cancer gets more attention and that is a great thing for fundraising, awareness and early detection. However, for those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, this month can be hard – and sometimes feel triggering and isolating. The widespread focus is often on screenings and celebrating survivors living a life free from cancer, which is not the reality for those with metastatic disease. Today, on MBC Awareness Day, we are excited to welcome Ashley Fernendez back to the show to talk about her lived experiences, how she seeks support and what she wants people to know about living with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

This podcast is brought to you by Nature’s Bounty. With a long-standing commitment to supporting women’s health and wellness, Nature’s Bounty is proud to partner with Susan G. Komen in the fight to end breast cancer. As we kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with eyes and ears on the breast cancer community, we are highlighting one of our passionate Komen donors to talk about why she chooses to support Susan G. Komen. Robin Eggert Elm is a long time 3-day supporter. She first started walking with her mom and sister in 2002 and now walks yearly with an ever-growing team of family and friends. Robin has spent more than 20 years in the health care industry and has worked with more than 100 mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations, including health systems,and service providers, senior housing and Catholic women religious congregations. Robin is truly passionate about walking as long as she can to continue fighting for a cure. Today, she’s here to tell us about why she chooses to partner with Komen in this fight.

Breast cancer affects everyone differently. African American and Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Biology and genes are driving factors, but we cannot overlook the fears and concerns women in these communities have when it comes to seeking medical care. Mistrust, bad experiences and deep-rooted bias are all standing in the way of saving more lives from breast cancer. Today, we’re joined by Jessica Williams, a leading and powerful voice in the Black community in South Florida. And Gil Zepeda, the Development Manager of Susan G. Komen in Florida. Jessica and Gil just took part in an event that brough mobile mammography to an underserved neighborhood in South Florida.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we reflect not only on cultural pride but also on the urgent health challenges facing the Latino community. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Latinas, and yet barriers such as language, limited access to care and cultural stigma often prevent women from receiving the support they need. In this episode of Real Pink, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Logie of Nueva Vida, a trusted partner of Susan G. Komen® and a member of the ShareForCures® Alliance. Together, we’ll explore how culturally responsive care can transform the breast cancer experience, break down barriers and ensure that Latinas feel seen, heard and supported every step of the way.

Naomi’s story is a powerful reminder of how something as simple as a routine mammogram—and even a scheduling mix-up—can change the course of your life. In this conversation, she opens up about her breast cancer journey, the impact it’s had on her career, her family, and her outlook on life, and why she’s passionate about encouraging others to take that potentially life-saving 15 minutes to get screened.

Did you know that in some families with a history of prostate cancer, the women may have an increased risk of breast cancer? People with one or more first-degree relatives (father or brother) who have had prostate cancer may have an increased risk of breast cancer, especially if the prostate cancer was diagnosed at a young age. This also works in reverse with a family history of breast cancer. This increased risk is likely due to inherited gene mutations. We are lucky to be joined today by genetic testing expert, Dr. Tuya Pal. Dr. Pal is here to discuss the importance of early detection and to decode some common questions surrounding genetic testing.

Today, we are sharing an episode of Your Healthiest Healthy, in which our Honorary Vice Chair, Paula Schneider, made an appearance. In the episode, she discusses her cancer journey, the current landscape, and Paula’s new book, Love Stays Strong, which is out today, September 2.

We are happy to welcome back the Honorary Vice Chair of Susan G. Komen, Paula Schneider, and today she is also joined by her two daughters Zoe and Chloe. Paula faced a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis in 2007 – after losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer years before. It goes without saying that Paula’s work is beyond personal. Since joining Komen in 2017, Paula has helped the organization usher in new programs, support services and policies that are helping families have a better chance of survival and a greater quality of life. This year, Paula has also published a children’s book inspired by her own breast cancer experience – which drops THIS WEEK on Sept. 2nd. Love Stays Strong is a book about the strength of a family’s love, especially during times of illness – designed to help parents or caregivers talk to young children about any kind of serious illness in the family.

A breast cancer diagnosis can bring more than just emotional and physical challenges — it can also create a heavy financial burden. From the cost of treatment to lesser-known expenses like transportation, childcare and lost wages, the impact can be overwhelming. In this episode of Real Pink: Health Equity Revolution, we’re joined by Toni Lee, Senior Manager of Susan G. Komen’s Patient Care Center. Toni shares powerful insights about the real costs of breast cancer, how Komen supports patients financially — even when the Financial Assistance Program is closed — and how trained patient navigators can help individuals access the resources they need to reduce the burden. If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported and empowered.

Donna Wentz is marking a remarkable milestone: 10 years of no evidence of breast cancer. Her journey began at just 39 years old, when she received the life-changing diagnosis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, Donna leaned on the unwavering support of her family, friends, and colleagues. Their encouragement carried her through the challenges of surgery, treatment, and recovery, helping her find strength she didn’t know she had. Today, she reflects not only on surviving, but on the resilience, gratitude, and deeper connections that emerged from her experience.

Life changes in a split second when you hear the words, “you have breast cancer.” Shawna Bramel and Marian Santos know this personally. Shawna was diagnosed after having her first child, completely upending her family’s plans for more children. Marian was diagnosed at a time when she should have been thinking about her future, planning a family and focusing on preserving her reproductive health. Both ladies struggled mentally, emotionally and physically with their diagnoses and are joining us today to share more.

You may have heard in the news that younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates than before. While women under 40 only account for 4% of breast cancer cases in the U.S., even a modest rise in breast cancer incidence is a call to action for young women to understand their personal risk and to know what’s normal for their breasts so they can be aware of any changes that should be reported to a health care provider. Joining us on the show today is Dr. Virginia Borges, a medical oncologist at the University of Colorado, whose research focuses on young women’s breast cancer. Dr. Borges is committed to finding answers and today will share what is being studied, as well as how young women can be empowered to take charge of their breast health early.

How can you be a full-time mom to your children while also facing breast cancer? Can you do both? Today’s guests share how they navigated two demanding roles – mom and patient – at the same time. Young women face even greater challenges when diagnosed young with breast cancer, as many are also raising young kids. Jennie Smythe had a 2-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed, and Siana Bennett had a 1-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed. Both are joining me today to tell us their stories.

People with disabilities —especially women of color —face unique, often invisible, barriers when it comes to accessing breast health care. From physically inaccessible mammography machines to bias and misinformation among providers, the breast cancer experience can look vastly different for women with disabilities. In this powerful conversation, disability advocate Monique Stamps opens up about the systemic inequities faced by people with disabilities in the health care system. Drawing from her own lived experience and professional advocacy, Monique explores how we must move beyond compliance — beyond ramps and accessible doors — to build a truly inclusive breast health system that serves everybody.

When Inside Edition reporter, Alison Hall, was assigned to cover Olivia Munn’s breast cancer story, she agreed to use the same Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool that Munn used – and to do it onscreen. Not only was this part of her research for the story, but it would also help raise awareness. What she did not expect was that her risk score ultimately would lead to her own breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 32. Alison bravely shared the news of her diagnosis on national television and has since been transparent in documenting her thoughts and feelings along the way in hopes to help other women feel less alone. We are so excited to have her here today to share her story with all of you.

Today, we're joined by Karen Powell, a nurse practitioner who not only supports patients through breast reconstruction—but has also walked the journey herself. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Karen gained a new perspective on early detection, the emotional weight of treatment decisions, and the power of having a strong support system. In this episode, she shares how informed choices and personal stories can empower others facing a diagnosis.

Today, we’re joined by Sherry Easter, who shares her powerful and uplifting journey through breast cancer—from the moment of diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Sherry opens up about the lifestyle changes she embraced, the incredible support she received from loved ones, and how laughter became one of her greatest tools in healing. Her resilience and optimism shine as she offers heartfelt advice for others facing similar challenges.

What happens when your gender journey and a breast cancer diagnosis collide? In this special Pride Month episode of Real Pink, our guests are Ash Davidson, a trans masculine activist who went in for gender-affirming top surgery and left with a breast cancer diagnosis and Scout, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. They’ll help us dive into the challenges and care gaps trans and nonbinary people face when navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. And together, we’ll explore what true gender-affirming care looks like, how to self-advocate in a medical system not built for everyone, and why inclusive, trauma-informed support isn’t just kind — it’s lifesaving.

When a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer, the journey touches every corner of life —especially for caregivers. In honor of Black Family Cancer Awareness Week, for this powerful episode of Real Pink, we sit down with two incredible Black men of faith, Kenneth White, spiritual adviser and group facilitator for a national addiction treatment center, and John K. Conner of Praise Is the Cure, a nonprofit focused on breast cancer awareness in the Black community, as they open up about supporting their wives through breast cancer. Through a lens of faith and cultural identity, Kenneth and John reflect on what it means to show up with strength and vulnerability, how spirituality grounds their caregiving and the importance of community for Black families facing a diagnosis. Their stories illuminate a side of breast cancer that’s often unheard — but deeply needed.

If your doctor is recommending that you get a mastectomy, you will likely have some choices about how the surgery is performed. Your breast cancer treatment, your body, your breast shape and your lifestyle affect not only your options, but also the pros and cons of your options. There’s no one method that works best for everyone because each person is unique. Today we are going to be exploring one specific type of mastectomy – the nipple-sparing mastectomy. This is a skin-sparing mastectomy that leaves the nipple and areola intact and usually improves the overall look of the reconstructed breast. Joining us on the show today are two very special guests: Dr. Mara Piltin, a Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncologist and Physician Assistant, Maddie Beiswanger, both from Mayo Clinic. They are going to tell us more about nipple-sparing mastectomy procedures, current research that is being conducted around the use of minimally invasive robotic surgery to assist in these procedures and the possible benefits that these innovations can provide. This episode of The Real Pink Podcast is brought to you by Intuitive Surgical. Intuitive is a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. Intuitive has been advancing minimally invasive care since 1995 with the goal of helping physicians improve the lives of people around the world. You can learn more at www.Intuitive.com